Word Juxtapoz Puzzles!

Word Juxtapoz puzzles represent a new form of enrichment activity in the science literature. They use words, numerals or symbols juxtaposed in a certain manner to make creative representations of scientific concepts. For example, YY4U means too wise for you; Get, Get, Get, Get means forget; and 4, 4, 4, 4 means force (4's). The process of decoding or constructing Word Juxtapoz puzzles can promote problem-solving and creative thinking skills in a fun and enjoyable manner.

Try these!

If you are keen for more, visit http://www.wordjuxtapoz.com/Wordplay.html .

A New Horizon

Hi there!

My apologies for the late blog post on the maths lesson where we learnt about horizontal and vertical lines. Horizontal is originated from the word 'horizon' and just as what Anan has shared in class, horizon is the line which separates the earth from the sky. Then we starting talking about sunrise and sunset when one of you mentioned that Jin Kai could do a painting of a sunset. So here is his masterpiece!

Squares are rectangles?

Johnny said, “A square has all properties of a rectangle. Therefore, squares are rectangles.” Do you agree with Johnny?

International Friendship Day

Last Friday, the school celebrated International Friendship Day. There were many activities such as

- musical performance by the Chinese Orchestra pupils,

(Ye ye, Zi Meng and Jin Kai did really well! Three cheers to our three musicians!)

- sand art presentation,















- food tasting during recess,

and many others.

What are your thoughts and feelings? Share it!

Helpers for Yeoman Service at Bishan Stadium

I am very heartened by the enthusiasm of all of you by expressing your eagerness to help out at the event venue despite it being a last minute notice. It was a waste for some of you who were not able to go due to your CCA commitments. However, fret not as I believe there will be other opportunities!

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to this team of pupils who woke up early in the morning and spent the whole morning at the stadium with me! Keep up the great job and I hope it had been a great exposure for you. 

As for the rest of you, I look forward to bringing you out for such services too, to contribute to the society. 

Ms Zhou

Science Online Assignment: The Blue Morpho Butterfly

Activity 1B: Life Cycle of A Butterfly

This specie of butterfly is recognised as one of the world most beautiful butterflies around in the world.

Visit the following links to find out how its eggs, larva and pupa looks like!

Information about the Blue Morpho Butterfly

Click on the following links to view the pictures. Remember to sketch these pictures in your SOLAR workbook. You may fill in your drawing with colours and jot down interesting notes about this butterfly on Pg 7 of your SOLAR workbook!

Egg stage
Larva Stage
Pupa Stage
Adult stage

Blue Morpho Butterfly Scales

Young Scientists At Work:What could this be?

Today,Yu Xuan brought a dead leaf with some queer-looking substances found at the underside of the leaf. What could this be? Could this be the eggs of an insect? 

Are you able to crack the mystery here?

If you find something interesting around you which piques your interest, do bring it to class to share your findings with your classmates! It's a great way of learning together as a class. 

Let's thank Harini for bringing a glass pyramid to class so that we can observe how a pyramid looks like and thank Yu Xuan for putting the effort to prepare an interesting specimen from the nature for us to explore. I yearning to see more of such interesting findings from you!

-Miss Dee-

Perpendicular Lines, Parallel Lines and The Egyptians' Mystery

Good evening pupils!

Today we embarked on a new journey to Egypt where we explore how the pyramids were built in Egypt. Who built the pyramids? How is it possible that the shapes and lines of the building were perfectly straight even without the use of the ruler or protractor? Could it be the aliens who built it?




Let's take some time to reflect what you've learned today.

1) What are perpendicular lines? 

The word , Perpendicular, means "at right angle". So perpendicular lines simply mean two lines coming together to form a right angle.

Perpendicular lines are drawn using a ruler and a set square.

Step 1: Use a ruler to draw the first straight line.
Step 2: Place one edge of a set-square containing the right angle against the line.Then, using your pencil, draw a vertical straight line downwards to form the second line which meets the first straight line.
Step 3: Mark out the right angle and label the angle as 90 degrees.

2) What are parallel lines?

Parallel lines are two lines which are placed same distance apart. These two lines will never meet. The word parallel means "side by side and having the same distance continuously between them".

Parallel lines are drawn using a ruler and a set square.

Step 1: Place one edge of a set-square containing the right angle along the given line. Then, place a ruler against the other edge of the set-square containing the right angle.

Step 2: Slide the edge of the set-square along the ruler until the other edge passes through the given point. Then, use this edge to draw the line parallel to the given line through the given point.

Step 3: Mark both parallel lines with an arrowhead to indicate both lines are parallel.

Interesting questions for you to ponder

1) Who invented the set square?

2) Why is it called a set square and not a triangle? ( Amaarul's question)

3) Why are parallel lines called parallel ? Can we call them copy lines? ( Amaarul's question)

4) Why are we learning about perpendicular lines and parallel lines? What are they used for? ( Hint: Related to the construction of pyramids)

5) Who came up with the idea of maths? ( Zi Xing's question)

That's all folks. Happy weekend!

Miss Dee

Don't they look 'parallel'?

 Being 'parallel' 

                                        If you aren't 'parallel, then you must be 'perpendicular', right?

Get it? 

6 States of Matter and Measuring Volume

Hi Children!

This is what we have covered for today. I need you to read through and reflect upon the following:

1) Other states of mater:

Fourth State: Plasma
Fifth State: Bose-Einstein state of matter
Sixth State: Quantum spin liquids

2) Online Classroom Debate

Should we include all sixth states of matter into our school textbooks? Are you primary 4 pupils able to learn all six states of matter? What is your stand on this? Why?

3) Measuring volumes for solid

Solid could be categorised into two different groups - regular solids and irregular solids. To measure volume of regular solids, we can apply the mathematical formula : Base area x Height. To find out the volume of irregular solids, we can use the displacement method (as mentioned by Harini during class). When you put an object into the cylinder filled with water, the water is being displaced (or pushed out) by the object.

How about measuring the volume of spongebob?

4) Measuring volumes for liquids

On the other hand, liquids vary in viscosity. Some liquids are more viscous (thick) while some are less viscous (thin or watery). Examples of highly viscous liquids include melted chocolate, ketchup and oil while. Examples of less viscous liquids includes water, milk and soy sauce.

Measuring instruments to measure volumes include the measuring cylinder, micropipette, burette and syringe.

5) Measuring volumes for gases

We can use a gas syringe to measure volumes of gases. But could you think of other ways to measure volumes of a gaseous substances like air?

6) Create a measuring cylinder

Today, we learnt about how scientists invent the measuring cylinder. Is Albert Einstein the one who invented the measuring cylinder? Not all scientists are the same. We should respect them and appreciate their efforts in sharing their inventions to improve our lives. Without the invention of the measuring cylinder, how is it possible for future scientists to work with chemicals to produce new products such as perfumes and oil? Who invented the measuring cylinder, then?

Albert Einstein is one of the greatest inventors to date. Here's a meaningful quote from him, " Try to become not a man of success, but try rather to become a man of value. - Albert Einstein". Sometimes success isn't about everything, what is most important is our values - to be exact, he is referring to our moral values or our character as a person. What does this quote means to you?

7) How to read volumes of liquids accurately using measuring cylinder
First, we need to level our eyes with the water level of the liquid and locate the meniscus of the liquid (curvature of the liquid).

8) Experiment: Liquids has a definite volume but no definite shape.
We learnt that liquid takes the shape of the container. We also know that the volume of a liquid can' be changed.

If you have further questions about today's lesson, please feel free to leave your questions in the comment box below.

A little treat for all of you...

Here's a video on how coke in its liquid state could turn into ice (solid state) instantly upon shaking.

Computer Lab Lesson on 8-Point Compass

Today's Lesson

8-Point Compass

You will be learning:

(1) The 8 directions in a compass 

(2) The angle between two directions ( e.g North and North-east) is 45 degrees.

(2) Clockwise and anti-clockwise directions

Task 1

Read the following information on the 8-point compass and learn about the 8 directions as indicated on the compass. Then, complete quiz 1 below. Click here and record your score under your name. 

 Source: MapZone

Source: MapZone

Complete a quiz 1 and record your score by clicking here. DO NOT CLOSE THE WINDOW OF THE RECORD SHEET UNTIL YOU'VE FILLED UP THE FORM COMPLETELY.

Quiz 1 : http://www.purposegames.com/game/cardinal-directions-quiz

Record Sheet Form

Task 2

Play the online game on clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

Instructions: Click the link below and select the options "Starter Mode: Each segment is 45 degrees" and tick the check box "time".

Link :

http://www.iboard.co.uk/iwb/Point-the-Boat-Angle-Practice-461

Task 3

Read and study the diagrams below in order to do a quiz 3. Fill in your answers in the record sheet form.

Quiz 3 Questions

Use the diagram below to help you with the questions below. Type your answers in the record sheet form.

Question 3(a) N to NE : _____ degrees in the clockwise direction.

Question 3 (b) W to NE : ______ degrees in the clockwise direction.

Question 3 (c) NW to W: _____ degrees in the clockwise direction.

Question 4 (a) S to SW : ______ degrees in the anti-clockwise direction.

Question 4 (b) W to NW : ________ degrees in the anti-clockwise direction.

Complete the questions in the form and click 'submit'

Visit this link , then scroll down and attempt question 2,3,4.

Completed all the three tasks? Proceed to the section on 'additional activities'.

Additional Activities

Activity (1) : Measuring angles in a figure with an online Protractor

Instructions : Click on the link below and attempt the five questions. 

Link: 

http://www.iboard.co.uk/iwb/Angle-Inside-Shape-Estimate-and-Measure-533

ANGLES OR ANGELS?

Hi Primary 4/7!

It's interesting how some of you spelt angles as "angels" in your maths assignment on angles. Do not confuse between these two words!

As promised, I will include the link to the Alien angle game and Spaceship game which most of you are already addicted to. Both games involves measuring of angles.

http://www.mathplayground.com/alienangles.html

http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/maths/activities/year6/angles/game.asp

Today, some of you were also asking about the online tool which I use to select your classmates' name. This tool is called the name randomizer. Since all of you were so intrigued by it, I've provided embedded the Name randomizer tool below. Go ahead and click 'Go!' and see if your name appears on the screen.

               

Today, we covered the topic on 'Turns and Right angles'. We learnt that 1 turn makes an angle of 360 degrees while half a turn makes an angle of 180 degrees. Now, we are learning how to measure angles more than 180 degrees. Here's an online game which involves measuring angles up to 360 degrees.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers/ks2_activities/maths/angles.shtml

I apologize that we are unable to carry out the Science experiment today but we will be carrying out the experiments soon as agreed. We have went through the balloon experiment in class and here's the video in it.

Does air has mass?

The experiment shown in the video is different from the experiment we are suppose to carry out in the lab. But both experiments would prove that air is consists of many particles which carries a mass. Hence, air has mass.

Thank you Children for being understanding and I hope you would have a pleasant week ahead. 

Regards,

Miss Dee

The Three States of Matter And The A* Attitude Video

Hello Children,

I hope you are all inspired by the video which was shown at the canteen after recess. Nick Vujicic, the man without limbs, is truly an inspiration figure which we should all learn from. I hope to see the never-say-die attitude in all of you as well. You could watch the video of Nick Vujicic again by clicking the play button right below. Could you imagine what it feels like to be living without limbs? Are you able to foresee the challenges and problems you might have? How do you think it is possible for Nick to overcome the difficulties in life? Is it easy for him? What could you learn from him?

Today, the computer and visualizer were both not working properly so Miss Dee couldn't show you some of the interesting videos online. To watch the videos, click on the play button in Prezi presentation right below. I will be going through these slides again tomorrow.

Key Learning Points

1) Matter exist in three different states - solid, liquid and gas.

2) Solid has a definite shape and a definite volume.

3) Liquid has no definite shape but has a definite volume.

3) Gas has no definite shape and no definite volume.

4) Gas is compressible.

Looking forward to see you tomorrow!

Regards,

Miss Dee

Make your own story!

We can all be writers! Create your own story now! :)
http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/make-your-own 

You may post your story here if you want to! 

Measuring Angles : The Rule of 3 - 4 - 5

Hello Little Mathematicians!

It's April Fool's Day! I'm just glad that none of you played a prank on the teachers.

Did you know that in countries like  Italy, France and Belgium, people tack paper fishes on each others' back as a trick and shout "April fish!" in their local languages?

______________________

As for maths lesson today, we covered the topic on measuring angles where Miss Dee taught you how to use a protractor to measure angles accurately. But the learning doesn't just stop there! Miss Dee would like to take you on a journey to explore the history behind angles. Did you know that the protractor has been invented 4,000 years ago? I wonder who invented it ...

Learning Points 

1) Protractor originates from the word "protract" which means to draw to scale.
2) There are four parts to the protractor : OBOI ( Origin, Base line, Outer scale, Inner scale)
3) How to use a protractor?
     Step 1 : Align the base line of the protractor with line 1.
     Step 2 : Slide the protractor along the base line til the vertex of the angle reaches the centre of the      baseline .
     Step 3 : Locate the origin ( where point zero is). From there, decide which scale to look at.
     Step 4:  Locate where line 2 is. Read the measurement off the scale.

Fun Online Games on Measuring Angles
( Click on the links below)

Measure the Angles by Mathsplayground

Kungfu Angles by BBC
This game requires you to estimate the angles in order for you to attack your opponent!


 Below are some questions for you to ponder.

1) Besides the protractor and the full protractor, could you name me other instruments or ways to measure angles?

E.g The Full protractor (which I've shown it to you today)

2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the protractor?

( As what Anan has shared during class, the protractor can't measure angles up to 360 degrees. Could you think of more advantages or disadvantages?)


3) Remember I mention about the rule of 3-4-5 ? It's a rule which people follow to measure out right angles accurately. But, how does it works?

Answer:

A triangle with a right angle is formed when the slanted line of the triangle measures 5 units, horizontal line measures (4 units) or vertical line ( 3 units).

Regards,
Miss Dee